Daily Catholic Mass Readings for September 16, 2019
First Reading: 1 Timothy 2.1-7
1First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,2for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,4who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,6who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.7For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Psalm 28
1To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.2Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.3Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.4Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.5Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.6Blessed be the LORD! for he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.7The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.8The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.9Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Gospel: Luke 7.1-10
1After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.2Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.3When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.4And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him,5for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue."6And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.7Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.8For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."9When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal nature of God’s love and the power of faith and humility. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer for all people, especially those in positions of authority, so that we might live peaceful and godly lives. He reminds us that God desires the salvation of all and that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity, who gave himself as a ransom for all. This passage underscores the Catholic belief in the universal mission of the Church and the necessity of prayer for the entire world.
In the Gospel, we encounter a centurion whose servant is healed by Jesus. The centurion, though a Gentile, shows remarkable faith in Jesus’ power, humbly recognizing his unworthiness to have Jesus enter his home. Jesus praises the centurion’s faith, noting that even in Israel, he had not encountered such great faith. This story highlights the universality of God’s grace and the fact that faith can be found in unexpected places. It also teaches us about the importance of humility and trust in God’s power.
These readings remind us that our faith is not limited to ourselves or our own communities but extends to all people. We are called to pray for everyone, just as St. Paul urges, and to trust in God’s providence, just as the centurion did. In our daily lives, we can apply this by fostering a spirit of prayer for those around us, especially those we might not usually think to pray for. Let us also cultivate humility and faith, recognizing that God’s grace is at work in ways we may not always see or understand. May we, like the centurion, trust in God’s power and allow His love to reach beyond our own boundaries.